President Prabowo Affirms State’s Support for Workers on Labor Day Commemoration

President Prabowo Subianto attends the International Labor Day commemoration along with thousands of laborers in the National Monument (Monas) area, Jakarta, on Friday (5/1).

President Prabowo Subianto, on Friday (5/1), attended the International Labor Day commemoration along with thousands of laborers in the National Monument (Monas) area, Jakarta. The presence of the Head of State in the event serves as a historic momentum and strong affirmation of the state’s presence to fight for laborers’ protection and welfare.

The President of the Confederation of All Indonesian Labor Unions (KSBSI), Ely Rosita Silaban, said that President Prabowo is one of the only three heads of state who celebrates Labor Day in person with workers, after Venezuela and Bolivia. This momentum was more than just a symbolic presence, but an affirmation of the country’s leaders’ concern and closeness to laborers.

 “Sir, first of all, thank you for being present with the laborers twice successively. This means you see these laborers as a group worth fighting for and you love us. You are the third president in the world—the first being Venezuela’s president, the second being Bolivia’s, and the third being Indonesia’s—to celebrate Labor Day with laborers,” said Ely in her report to the President.

Furthermore, the President’s presence also reflects a shift in the approach to the relationship between the state and laborers. While previously Labor Day commemorations were a moment for expressing aspirations in the presence of barriers between the Government and laborers, now this momentum has become a space for open interaction.

Such momentum was evident through the expression of workers’ aspirations, represented by several chairpersons of labor organizations across the country. Ilhamsyah, Chairman of the Confederation of Indonesian Labor Unions (KPBI), said that for the first time, laborers were able to directly convey their aspirations to the President.

“I have celebrated May Day dozens of times. We used to shout from the sidelines or behind the walls of the (state) palace or the House of Representatives. Today, we can convey our aspirations directly to the President,” he said.

Furthermore, this momentum also demonstrates the stronger consolidation among laborers. The President of the Confederation of Indonesian Worker Unions (KSPI), Said Iqbal, said Indonesian labor unions are increasingly solid and optimistic about the direction of the Government’s policies, which he believes support the welfare and protection of workers.

“I just want to express my gratitude to the President for ensuring that Indonesian workers are now united under the leadership of Bapak Prabowo Subianto. Inshaallah, all our aspirations and dreams can be realized through this unity,” he concluded.

President Prabowo’s presence in person at this International Labor Day commemoration was the second one during his administration, the first one taking place last year.

His second consecutive presence at the May Day commemoration marks a new direction in leadership. The state is no longer distant, but directly present, standing on equal footing, and truly siding with workers.

From Monas area, this message is reinforced and undeniable that laborers are not merely objects of policy, but strategic partners in development. The state is present not only through regulations, but also through tangible support and real involvement. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (JAS/TM)